Short answer: the Kanto YU. It ranks #40 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $349.99. The Edifier MR5 ranks #52, rated 3.3/5, at $329, $20.99 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the Kanto YU does well: RCA and Bluetooth inputs, remote control, tone adjustment and a subwoofer output make this compact pair simple to use. The tradeoff: Standalone preference is 3.46 and the -3dB point is about 85Hz, so it lacks low-bass weight.
Why pick the Edifier MR5: Erin’s Audio Corner measured useful bass for a compact 5-inch monitor, with F3 around 51Hz. Watch for: Erin’s CTA-2034 data shows upper-midrange and treble irregularities, while off-axis response narrows more quickly than ideal above about 2–3kHz.
Buy the Kanto YU. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $20.99 with the Edifier MR5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU | Edifier MR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 per pair | $329.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #40 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #52 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF | - |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter, 4" Kevlar woofer | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in | 6.3"W x 10.4"H x 11"D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | LDAC, SBC |
| Country | Canada (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.46 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | 3.5mm headphone |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 | Yes, 6.0 |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 6.0 |
| EQ | - | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 51Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Measurement Source | - | Erin's Audio Corner |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Kanto YU: $349.99 per pair Kanto Audio eBay
Pros: RCA and Bluetooth inputs, remote control, tone adjustment and a subwoofer output make this compact pair simple to use. ASR’s measurements show a 2.9dB midrange span and a 6.38 preference score with an ideal subwoofer, supporting moderate desktop use with bass assistance.
Cons: Standalone preference is 3.46 and the -3dB point is about 85Hz, so it lacks low-bass weight. The response trends upward toward the treble and retains local irregularities across the listening window. A subwoofer adds bandwidth but does not make the speaker neutral. Connectivity is basic compared with models offering USB, optical or HDMI.
Full Kanto YU review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Canada (design) |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter, 4" Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Edifier MR5: $329.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Audio Corner measured useful bass for a compact 5-inch monitor, with F3 around 51Hz. The three-way active design adds a dedicated 3.75-inch midrange, and the 110W RMS system, app EQ, room-compensation controls, LDAC, balanced XLR/TRS inputs, and front headphone output make it unusually well equipped at $329 per pair. Measured bass extension of 51Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Erin’s CTA-2034 data shows upper-midrange and treble irregularities, while off-axis response narrows more quickly than ideal above about 2–3kHz. Bass output is level-limited below about 70Hz and distortion/compression rise at higher levels, so it suits moderate nearfield use better than loud mid-field playback.
Full Edifier MR5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 110W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3"W x 10.4"H x 11"D (159 x 264 x 280 mm) (active); 159W x 264H x 257D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 5-inch woofer + 3.75-inch midrange + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ and rear high/low controls) |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Measurement Source | Erin's Audio Corner |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.38 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons